September 27, 2013

Cliff Lee Makes Last Start Of Season In Effort To Give Phils A Win In Atlanta

The Braves have already clinched the division, but home field advantage in the postseason is still up for grabs. The Braves and Cardinals are tied for best record in the NL and the Phillies are being called upon to try and falter the Braves' chances at home field advantage. Last night the Phillies were silenced in a 7-1 loss. Tyler Cloyd was lit up once again for seven earned runs in one inning of work. Tonight the Phillies will send out Cliff Lee (14-7, 2.93 ERA), who will be making his last start of the season as the Braves send out the young righty Kris Medlen (14-12, 3.24 ERA), who is looking to give his team a good push as they head into the playoffs.

Cliff Lee lost his last outing on Sunday at home against the Mets. Lee allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits through seven innings. Lee struck out eight and walked none to cap off a solid year at home. He will look to finish up another solid season as he takes on the Braves tonight. In three starts against them in 2013, Lee is 2-1 against Atlanta. He will look to earn his 15th win of the year, a feat he has not completed since 2011 (17-8, 2.40 ERA).

Kris Medlen was masterful his last time out and his team will be expecting no less as he takes on Philadelphia tonight. The righthander allowed an earned run over 7 1/3 innings of work against the Cubbies on Saturday. Despite the quality start, Medlen was handed a no-decision due to a lack of run support. In his last three starts Medlen is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA (3 ER in 21 IP). He has not had the best of luck against Philadelphia this season as he is 2-2 with a 5.01 ERA in four starts against.

Game Notes:

The Braves have the chance to gain an advantage over St. Louis for home field advantage in the postseason.

The Braves lead the Majors in home winning percentage at .692.

The Phillies will not win more than 74 games this season, they have not won less than 5 in a season since 1998.